MLK Assembly

Amazing Assembly Tuesday in honor of Martin Luther King. Michelle Jordan was astonishing!

The Beatles are coming, the Beatles are coming!

We had a photo shoot for the poster today. Way too much fun!

Concert Videos

What a great semester we have had. So much wonderful singing with such enthusiastic students.
I hope everyone is enjoying the much needed break! Looking forward to the Choir Staff Musical, February 13 and 14, 2013.
Fall Concert Videos Playlist

Winter Concert Videos Playlist

Chamber Singers Holiday Concert Highlights

Fantastic!

What a great event Sunday was! I thought the choirs sang so well, and the soloists were amazing. Then to top it off with a fantastic meal and a chance to hang out as a group....it was all I had hoped it would be. A special thanks to the Choir Boosters for all the extra help and organization.
Katie Woo's dad, Alex filmed the concert and has posted all the videos on youtube!
There is so much to enjoy and be proud of here, and it's only September 24!

Treble Choir: Hava Nashira

Treble Choir: Let Your Voice Be Heard

Natalie Hong and Emily Wu: Scarborough Fair

Elana Loeb and Haley King: Jester

Chamber Singers: Sing dem Herrn

Chamber Singers: Jubilate Deo

Chamber Singers: Lord I Know I Been Changed

Jenny Dally: Danza Danza Fancula

Dennis Mashevsky: Summertime

Kirsten Baird and Sarah Klen: Thinkin Bout You

Concert Choir: Da Pacem Domine

Concert Choir: Exultate Justi

Kavya Padmanabhan and Tatiana Boyle: Hallelujah

Camille Shrager:  Thinking of You

Allyna Melville, Michelle Zhang, Natalie Byun, Sondrine Bontemps, Tanvi Dharap:

Kaleidoscope Heart

VI. Combined Choirs: Sansa Kroma, Ilaisaane V Lutui, Soloist

Concert this Sunday!

Join us for the first ever Gunn Choir Concert and Family Potluck

This Sunday, September 23, 2012 4:00 PM

4:00 Drop off food at the “Batcave”

(in front of the main office)

4:15 Concert in Spangenberg

5:00 Dinner

 

Find out more about the choir experience at Gunn!

Meet other choir families!

Hear more about our amazing trip to Spain and France!

 Find out how to volunteer to support the Gunn choirs—there are opportunities for everyone!

 

Bring food for 8 according to your last name:

A – L:  entree  M – P:  salad or fruit  R – Z:  dessert 

 

Choir goes GREEN: 

Bring your own plates, napkins, cups and cutlery so we can do our part to care for the planet. 

 

For more information, contact the choir board co-presidents:

Liz Matchett: lizmatchett@yahoo.com

Kristen Lee: Klee@pausd.org

Announcements, 8/23/12

Greetings to all Gunn Choir members and families. We are off to a great start! We have lots of very talented singers, returning and new, and we are all feeling really good about the musical year ahead of us.

A few important announcements as we kick off 2012-13:

I) Choir Tour Sign Ups/ Registration

I hope you got the beautiful brochure in your back to school mailing. If you haven't seen the brochure, you can download it here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?j8woj85idf1ij

I have now posted the actual application form there as well. 

I have been working with the tour company to re-vamp the payment schedule and I think it is now a much improved plan: 

Sept 4, Application form and $300 due to Mr. Liberatore (make checks out to KI Concerts)

Oct  31, $750 payment

Dec 21, $750 payment

Feb 1, $750 payment

March 15,  Final Balance

The trip is $3295. The only charge not included yet is the airline tax and surcharge which the airlines calculate closer to the departure. That will probably be about $400, and you should consider the full cost to be around $3695, and your final March payment around $1,150. If your student will need financial support in order to be able to go, please make an appointment with me before the registration is due so we can figure out how much you can pay and how much the choir can pay, if you are not able to pay the full cost on your own. 

2) Choir Attire Fittings

Our awesome Choir Attire Volunteer EJ Hong (mom of Natalie Hong) needs help with attire measurements next week. Volunteers are needed at the following times:

Tuesday 8/28 from 8-10:33 a.m. (3 volunteers)

Wednesday 8/29 9:15-10:33 a.m. (5 volunteers)

Thursday 10:48-1 pm (optional if more measurements need to be taken)

Please sign up HERE and bring a tape measure if you can help. Thanks to our Volunteer Coordinator Lynn Drake (mom of Kinsey Drake) for organizing this.

3) Choir Boosters Need YOU!

I hope you will all consider making a donation and becoming an official member of the Gunn Choir Boosters. 

The booster membership form can be downloaded here as well: http://www.mediafire.com/?j8woj85idf1ij

Your donation will get in you into all all three concerts (Fall, WInter Spring) and can get you as many as 2 or 4 complimentary tickets depending upon your donation. Check out the possible levels of donation and consider joining us as we create this great program for our kids. 

4) Gunn Choir Website

If you have not visited our fantastic website yet, please check it out. Barb Mackraz and the Boosters keep it very up to date

and it's super useful when you are trying to figure out what's happening.  www.gunnchoir.org

5) Choir Family Kickoff Potluck

is Sunday, September 23 from 4-6. It should be a lot of fun, and a great way to hear all about the choir and to meet lots of other choir parents. We hope you'll mark your calendar and join us!

Back to School night is Thursday, August 30th. I hope to see you all there!

Best,

Bill Liberatore

gunnchoir@aol.com

Welcome to 2012-13!!

Welcome to the 2012-13 Gunn High School Choir! As I start my 26th year of teaching, I am more appreciative than ever of this wonderful opportunity we all have to come together in song. There is nothing like the experience of being in a choir and using our music to make a difference in the lives of  other people, both in our choir and in the greater Palo Alto community.

There are two important things to share as we get started. One is the Back to School Choir packet, which describes all the performances and gives you lots of important information about the choir.
The other is the 2013 Choir Tour Brochure which outlines the amazing trip to Spain and France that we have planned for 2013. You can download both of those documents here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?j8woj85idf1ij I will also be mailing a hard copy of those two items to your home.

If you are new to the choir program, I thought I would share some examples of the many types of performances you have to look forward to. Enjoy this little video sampler, and I look forward to seeing you all next Thursday!

Best,
Bill Liberatore

Gunn Choir Fall Concert

Highlights from the 2011 Fall Concert

Babethandaza from Fall 2010

Supermassive Blackhole, Choir Men, Fall 2009

Gunn Choir Winter Concert

Home for Hannukah (an original composition written for "December Moon")

Schubert Mass in G/ Gloria

Gunn Choir/Staff Musical

Duke of Earl

Tootie Frutti, with fabulous choreography by Gay Richard!

Our original 2012 musical, OUT! 

Choir Tour

Ave Maria in Rome, 2011

Chamber Singers in Rome, 2011, Ubi Caritas

City Called Heaven in the Spanish Synagogue, Prague, 2009

Other types of performances

Treble Choir at CMEA, Spring 2012 "Johnny Said No"

The Gunn Choir recording their KFOX, School of Rock award winning songs. 

Spring Concert 2012

 
Spring Concert,
Thursday, May 31, 2012,
7:30 PM Grace Lutheran Church

Join us for our musical celebration of the class of 2012. It's going to be a great night. We've got all the music from the choir's recent festival performances, plus solos and duets from the class of 2012. Don't miss it! Tickets available at the door.

CMEA Choral Festival

Congratulations to the Gunn Concert Choir and Treble Choir on their outstanding performances at the California Music Educator's Association Choral Festival yesterday. Both groups received what they call a "Unanimous Superior" rating, meaning they were awarded superior ratings by every performance judge and by the sight reading judge as well. It was a fantastic day!

Spring Calendar

You can download our end of the year calendar here:   Gunn Choir May/June 2011-12

OUT! The Musical

Choir/Staff Musical 2012
OUT!

Dear Choir Students,
This handout will hopefully put all you need to know about our upcoming show, all in one place. If you have any questions that aren’t answered here, please don’t hesitate to email me at Gunnchoir@aol.com or text me at 650-575-5020.
Below is info on the following topics:

I. Rehearsal Schedule
II. Musical Numbers list and what you wear in each number
III. Publicity/Tickets
IV. Wednesday Night Pizza Feed
V. Missing Rehearsals


I. Rehearsal Schedule

Thursday, February 2, 6:00-9:00 PM
Full Cast Run-through in M-2.
(Beyonce Dancers and Chives are meeting at 5:00)

Saturday, February 4: Small groups by appointment
10:00 AM: Dean will be hanging drops and setting up risers. See me if you can help!
Maddie and Chives: 11-4
Lissa, Jordan, Jocks and Cheerleaders: 11-2
Gaydar Dancers: 11:45
Pink Ladies: 12:30
Glee Club 3:00

Sunday, February 5, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Full Cast Run-through in Spangenberg. We will be wearing costumes on Sunday.
See info below on what you need to bring. Please bring your stuff in a box or gym bag that is well labeled with your name on the outside. ALL of your costume pieces should be labeled with masking tape and your name so no one accidentally takes your stuff! Please arrive in your first costume so we can start the run by 11:15.

Monday, Tuesday, February 6, 7, 3:35 PM-7:30 PM
Dress rehearsals in Spangenberg.

Wednesday, February 8, 3:35 PM- 7:00 PM
Final Dress Rehearsal

Wednesday and Thursday, February 8 and 9, 8:00 PERFORMANCES


II. MUSICAL NUMBERS LIST and WHAT YOU WEAR FOR EACH SCENE

Concert Choir Men
Opener, Popular, Damn Straight and So Fine, Finale to Act I:
All the choir guys will wear their jeans and plaid shirt for Act I, unless you are Jordan and his 3 friends.
Maddy’s Song (Basketball number): All the guys should wear athletic wear like you are at a practice for a sports team.
It Gets Better: Wear the pants and shoes from your choir attire, plus a long sleeve black shirt.
The Prom, Finale: Let Joy Begin, It Get’s Better Encore: You wear your Choir Attire.
Pieces we will be giving you that you need to keep and be responsible for:
Small American flags for opener, a cowboy hat, a red bandana for Damn Str8,
A colored stole for the It Gets Better number.

Concert Choir Women
Opener, Popular, Finale to Act I, Dream Songs:
1. Sweater or sweater set. If you do not have this in your wardrobe, borrow this from an adult friend that is your size. Bright colors are preferred. Stay away from white and pale colors that wash out on stage. If you want this new, try Target, Wal-Mart, or a discount store like Ross, TJ Maxx, or Nordstrom’s Rack.
2. Knee-length skirt. This item can have a pattern or solid color that coordinates with your sweater set.
3. Skin-tone, natural looking tights or nylons.. These should go with most costumes in the show.
It Gets Better: You wear your prom dress under the choir robe.
The Prom, Finale: Let Joy Begin, It Get’s Better Encore: You wear whatever fancy dress you own.
Pieces we will be giving you that you need to keep and be responsible for:
Small American flags for opener, a colored stole and choir robe for the It Gets Better number.

Treble Choir
Opener (Look Out Across America), Popular, Maddy’s Song, Dream Song (Dancing Queen): Cheerleader Costume - You will need to bring tennis shoes and white bobby socks. We might be ordering shoes, but you should bring your own in case.
Gaydar: You will need your Choir dress minus the white drape and a long-sleeved, collarless, black knit top for the Sister Act number. You will also need long black socks or black nylons or tights under the nun outfit and a black belt.
The Prom, Finale: Let Joy Begin, It Gets Better Encore: Whatever fancy dress you own.

Pieces we will give you to keep track of: Small flags for opener, cheerleader skirt, cheerleader t-shirt, pom poms, yellow ribbon for your hair. For the nun outfit we will give you 3 pieces: a black drape that goes over your dress, a white collar that goes around your face, and a black drape that gets pinned to your head.

III. TICKETS/PUBLICITY
It is really important that every person does their part to help create an audience for the show. I have tons of posters, both the kind with individual rehearsal shots on them for on campus, plus the big color ones for off campus. There is also a website
you can tell people about (http://out-themusical.blogspot.com) as well as a Facebook event to invite people to. Even just 20 minutes on your computer emailing friends and relatives would be great. And don’t forget to invite all your teachers to come as well. Tickets can be purchased at the SAC or online at Gunnchoir.org. On Wed there will probably be tickets at the door as well, but if we are lucky Thursday will sell out and people who want to come Thursday should buy a ticket ahead of time.

IV. WEDNESDAY NIGHT PIZZA FEED
On Wednesday night, since there is not much time between the dress rehearsal and the performance, we are throwing a pizza dinner in the choir room for anyone who wants to just stay on campus. This is highly suggested. If you leave, the parking will be a nightmare when you try to come back. $5 will buy you all the pizza you can eat, drinks, chips, etc. I need to take a rough count today and find out who thinks they will be eating pizza.

V. REHEARSAL CONFLICTS
If you are going to miss any part of the final four rehearsals, there are two things you are going to have to do:
1) Go to this spreadsheet
(https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ak3DNiOy2azldEdnNDFoZFpZZWxrN0R4TnhBNjV6UXc) and fill in your name. I will email you the link, and this letter will be posted on my blog on the gunnchoir.org website so you can just click on the above link. Underneath the rehearsal date explain the specific reason for your absence. Don’t abbreviate. Write in complete sentences.
2) I want to make sure you, your parent and I are all clear about your schedule and why you are asking to miss a rehearsal. In addition to you writing your excuse in the spreadsheet, your parent needs to call my google voicemail number and give their permission for you to miss the rehearsal. This will only take 5 minutes of your parents time, but it will help me to keep track of who is missing for a valid reason, and who is being flaky and should not be allowed to be in the show or the class.
The number is (650) 485-3531. This is NOT a number to call me at or leave any kind of text or other communication. It is strictly a voicemail to record messages from your parents if you are going to miss a rehearsal. My cell is 650-575-5020.








VI. BEHAVIOR AT DRESS REHEARSALS

1) THERE IS TO BE NO FOOD OR DRINK IN SPANGENBERG. PERIOD! IF YOU ARE CAUGHT EATING OR DRINKING IN THE THEATRE YOU WILL BE SENT HOME.
2) IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT YOU LABEL EVERY PROP AND COSTUME PIECE WITH A PIECE OF MASKING TAPE AND YOUR NAME. IT RUINS THE ENTIRE NUMBER WHEN ONE PERSON IS MISSING A FLAG OR A POM POM OR A CHOIR ROBE. DO NOT TOUCH OTHER PEOPLE’S STUFF, AND DO NOT LEAVE YOUR COSTUME PIECES ANYWHERE BUT IN YOUR PERSONALLY LABELED BOX.
3) DURING THE REHEARSALS AND THE SHOW THERE WILL BE A LOT OF VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF AROUND. PLEASE BE ON YOUR BEST BEHAVIOR.
AT NO TIME IS IT APPROPRIATE TO BE RUDE OR UNAPPRECIATIVE TO A PARENT VOLUNTEER. DO WHAT YOU ARE ASKED TO DO AND BE POLITE ABOUT IT. IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM, YOU COME TO ME.
4) JUST LIKE ON A CHOIR TOUR, A BIG SHOW LIKE THIS WILL ONLY WORK IF YOU LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER. IF YOUR NEIGHBOR DOESN’T KNOW THE STEP OR DIDN’T PICK UP THE COSTUME PIECE, OR DOESN’T KNOW WHAT NUMBER IS NEXT, IT MAKES EVERYBODY LOOK BAD. LOOK FOR WAYS TO HELP THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS SHOW, AND THEN WE WILL ALL HAVE THE EXPERIENCE OF PUTTING ON A GREAT SHOW.



Thanks for all your work so far. I think it’s going to be a great show. Please take the information in this packet seriously. If everyone takes that little bit of extra person responsibility around the details, you will be amazed at what a difference it makes!

Best,
BL

CHOIR SHOW!!!!

How cool is this? The San Francisco Ambassadors of the Trevor Project gave us a shout out on Facebook!




The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth.




Rehearsals for OUT! are amazing. It's going to be so good. Mark your calendars. February 8th and 9th. Check out our OUT! The Musical website at http://out-themusical.blogspot.com.

CHOIR RETREAT JAN 28/29

To: All Choir Members and Parents
From: Bill Liberatore
RE: Fall Choir Retreat, January 28/29

I. Overview
Gunn Choir’s Retreat is January 28/29. If you are new to the program, let me briefly
describe the event. The Choir spends a weekend every year at YMCA Camp Jones Gulch
to rehearse extensively for our next concert and to get to know each other better. In order to have the rehearsals be effective, we really encourage every student to participate as best they can. Especially this year when we are going during the preparation for the choir show and there will be lots of choreography rehearsed. If finances are a problem, we can offer financial assistance to any family who cannot afford the full cost. Please contact me if you need help with that part of it.

II. Chaperones
We definitely need chaperones! It is a very relaxing time for the adults since we rehearse almost continuously. You will have lots of time to enjoy the surroundings and read, hike, etc. Please contact me right away if you can help us. Chaperones don’t have to pay, so you can think of it as a free mini-vacation. Cold, but free! Until lights out of course when you will put in the real work getting these kids to bed!! If you would be willing to chaperone, please email our retreat coordinators, George and Dianna Richardson, at gbr@gbr-law.com.

III. Permission Slips/Forms
You can download all the forms you need here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?hf25n4vouk4npyb

1) Gunn Parent-Student agreement/behavior contract
2) YMCA waiver form
3) PAUSD medical release form
4) Form to include with the payment
5) Sample rehearsal schedule and a packing list

There are four items everyone needs to turn back in. PAUSD behavior contract, YMCA
waiver, PAUSD medical form, and a form to staple your check to. Checks should be
made out to “Gunn Choir Boosters”. Chaperones don’t pay, but they do need to sign and
turn in all the other forms. It would be great if chaperones could drive their own cars. If you are not on file with the school to drive, I am including the driver form as well. Note that it now requires that you attach a copy of your policy declarations page.

The kids are doing a great job preparing for the choir show next month. I hope you have
it on your calendar (February 8 and 9) and that you will consider bringing lots of people with you. It is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and we all know how much families need the scholarship assistance we are trying to provide for the tour. Besides, it’s a fantastic show, and you don’t want to miss it!

Bill Liberatore, Gunn Choir Director

OUT Audition Info

What: Choir Staff Musical Auditions
When: Monday, January 2, 2012 6:30-8:30 (or later if necessary).
How: Go to this google doc to sign up for an appointment time.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ak3DNiOy2azldDhQbmdta3NIb0hHcV9NZEY5LU9zdUE

Parts to audition for:
We are looking for the following characters or small groups.

Lissa: The assumed Queen of the Prom. Head Cheerleader. A very typically popular girl, but also full of personality and likeable. She sings about her challenges in the song “Don’t Hate Me Cause I’m Popular”.

Jordan: The assumed Prom King. Captain of the Football team. Kind of a dumb jock, but likeable and ultimately turns out to be a really good guy.

Lissa’s 3 friends: Amy, Sara, Brenda. Cheerleaders. Not very bright. Each should have a big over the top, individual personality.

Jordan’s 3 friends: Drew, Mark and Will. Jocks. Each should have a big over the top, individual personality as well.

Chives Back Up Singers/Dancers: 6 girls. Strong singers and dancers. They perform with Chives in a variety of costumes and musical styles.

Dream Song Contestants: We need a few small groups to perform short numbers at the Dream Song competition that the conservative group running the prom would find offensive. Not so offensive that we can’t include it in a Choir/Staff musical, but on the edge enough that the conservative leader can declare it inappropriate. (Single Ladies, Teenage Dream….that sort of thing.)

Audition Requirements:

Lissa: Sing a verse of Popular.
Be ready to read audition scenes 1, 2 or 3.

Jordan: Sing a verse of Popular
Be ready to read audition scene 3.

Cheerleaders: Amy, Sara, Brenda.
Sing a verse of Popular
Be ready to read audition scene 1.

Jocks: Drew, Will, Mark.
Sing a verse of Popular
Be ready to read audition scene 4.

Chives Back Up Dancers: You can audition alone or in a small group.
You can pick a short segment of a pop or musical theatre song (doesn’t need to be more than a minute or 2). Feel free to add movement to the song if you choose.
Needs to show that you can sing out and are comfortable with movement.

Dream Song Contestants: You should try and audition as a small group.
Look for an appropriate song for the scene and the story.
The story synopsis is listed below.


Audition Materials:
You can download the audition scenes and Popular lyrics here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X5fhE89j6k3_7vFMbBHU8aaJr7SPgQKfVUhTtxneddo/edit

You can listen to the song Popular here:

http://www.4shared.com/music/JRU3QsdB/Popular__OUT.html

Please come to the audition ready to answer questions about your availability and any conflicts you might have with rehearsing outside of school, including evening and weekend commitments.

Questions? Write me back.
Looking forward to it!
Best,
Bill Liberatore

Announcements

Choir Announcements/ Schedules/ Updates

Hey everybody. Happy Weekend! Happy two-day week coming up!!!
I wanted to put something together that would document all the dates coming up in choir. This window of time is super exciting, but a little crazy with the calendar. Hopefully having it all in one place will help you all to keep track. There are several things that all happen over the next two and a half months:

I.NYC: Tour registrations and deposits are due by Monday, November 28th.

II.In order to take a tour like that, we do a lot fundraising to support families who cannot afford it. In the next few days we will be kicking off our “Tour Sponsorship Campaign”. We are asking every family participating in the tour to solicit one donation from a business or family member. A $50 donation buys a business card size ad in the program. Bigger donations=bigger ads. It’s one way you can help make the trip possible for everyone. Ads for the Winter Concert program are due by Friday, December 9th.

III.Winter Concert: I think this is going to be one of the best Winter Concerts we have had in a long time. The repertoire is super cool and the instrumental music students are going to add a lot of excitement to these pieces! We will need to rehearse with them outside of class. Here is the schedule:

The Concert is Wed Dec 14th at 7:30 PM
Rehearsals with the instrumentalists are:
Tuesday Dec 6th and Monday Dec 12 we would follow this schedule:
5:30 Jubilant Song w/vibes player and Women's Choir
6:00 Diemer Gloria and Chichester Psalms with
Percussionists, Concert Choir and Treble Choir
7:30 Vivaldi Gloria w/ Chamber Orchestra, Concert Choir,Treble Choir
9:00 END

We will also run the pieces onstage right after school on the 14th.

Solo Auditions:
We will be auditioning soloists for these pieces at lunch on
Wed Nov 30th or Friday, December 2nd.

IV. Choir/Staff Musical: “OUT”, February 8/9, 2012
Important Dates for everyone:
Performances: Wed and Thurs February 8 and 9
Dress Rehearsals: Sunday, Feb 5, 12:00-6:00, Mon-Wed Feb 6-8 after school.
RETREAT: We will be at YMCA Camp Jones Gulch for our annual retreat to pull the whole show together Jan 28/29.
AUDITIONS: Auditions for the main speaking parts will take place during E period on Thurs and Fri Dec 15 and 16. There are 5 male speaking parts and 5 female speaking parts. (Character descriptions and plot summary will be out soon.) There is also a special group of 6 female singer/dancers, and of course the opportunity for some featured small groups.
If you are auditioning for a speaking part, you will be given materials (a song and a scene) to prepare for the in class audition on the 15/16. If you are auditioning for a featured female singer/dancer or a small group feature, those auditions will be Monday night, January 2nd at 6:00. You will be able to sign up in advance for an audition slot.

Below is the short synopsis of the show we are using for press releases etc.

Decent, Oklahoma is the little town where people are just slightly more American than anybody else. It seems like the ideal place to live until a high school senior boy named Chives starts rocking the pedestal by running for prom queen. Flamboyant and in-your-face, the gender bending Chives is determined to bring Decent into the new millennium no matter how many people he upsets. His antics are so outrageous that even his best friend Maddy Murphy, the most likeable girl on campus, is having trouble sticking by him. When Maddy argues that people are angry with Chives not because he’s gay but because he’s obnoxiously and provocatively gay, Chives calls her naïve and bets that if the All-American-Girl Maddy were gay, no one would like her either. It’s a challenge she can’t refuse and the game is on. What follows is a comedic roller coaster ride of tap dancing ranchers, Ellen DeGeneres leading a gospel choir and a potent test of the power of gay-dar. The result is not at all what Maddy is expecting from her town, her friends or herself. What she and Chives learn is a lesson filled with pain, joy and the realization that, despite all the challenges of adolescence, it really does get better.

V. Chamber Singers Caroling Performances:
Please mark these on your calendars!

Monday, December 5th, 7:00 Performance at the Creche Exhibit at the LDS Church
Tuesday, December 13th, Noon, 1:00 and 4:00 Concerts. Yes, three in a day.
Friday, December 16th, 8:00 AM Concert for the Rotary Club

WE NEED CHAMBER SINGERS PARENTS TO DRIVE ON THE 13TH AND THE 16TH. LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN HELP TRANPORT KIDS.

Reminder: There is no Women’s Choir or Chamber Singers this Monday night, November 21. If Chamber Singers could please hold Tuesday at lunch open, I would like to run the Gloria at lunch on Tuesday so we don’t go an entire week without running it. Women’s Choir, we will run Jubilant Song at the end of E Tues AM.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Great Fall Concert

What a fantastic way to begin the year. Wow!

Happy Rosh Hashanah!

Translation: "In the year to come, as I sit on my porch and count the birds flying around, I will see children playing; running between houses and in the fields. You will see, you will see how good it will be in the year to come."
Happy Rosh Hashanah!

Great Performance!

Thanks so much to everyone who came out and sang Sunday morning. It was a fantastic turnout and a great performance. I really appreciate all of you (and your parents!) getting out of bed so early on a Sunday and making this happen. Using music to connect and to be of service to the greater Palo Alto community is a big part of what the Gunn Choir is all about. Thank you all so much for demonstrating that so well this morning.

You got a nice email from the mayor too!

Thank you for the wonderful performance at Sunday's 9/11 Memorial. I have received more comments about the choir's performance than anything else. Absolutely fantastic. Please extend my thanks to everyone.
Sid
--
SID ESPINOSA
Mayor, City of Palo Alto

And a note from Rena Allison, Choir Booster President:
What a fine performance and a wonderful event in which to serve their community….this choir is so passionate and committed. Their combined voices were so moving - on a beautiful Sunday morning for the ten year anniversary of 9/11. I look forward to listening to many more awesome performances throughout the year. Thanks Gunn Choir!!!
Rena Allison
President, Choir Boosters

Congratulations!
Bill Liberatore

9-11 Performance Tomorrow

Greetings! I hope everyone is enjoying this gorgeous Saturday. I am writing to remind everyone of the performance tomorrow at the 9-11 Memorial Ceremony.
The Mayor and City Council are holding a special 10th anniversary memorial event to recognize those who lost their lives from the terrorist attack. We have been asked to sing. It is not only an honor but a great chance to demonstrate our commitment to community service and outreach.
The details:

8:30 AM Meet at the Children's Theatre, corner of Middlefield and Melville.
If you are driving yourself, you should consider parking near the tennis courts behind the theatre since the performance is at the corner of Embarcadero and Newell.

8:45 AM We will walk to the site of the ceremony.

9:00 AM Performance
The ceremony is only about a half hour long. At some point in the ceremony we will sing City Called Heaven. I am really grateful to the fantastic guitar players who are playing for us tomorrow: Carly Neugass, Taesu Pak and Tony Yin. If you guys could come a few minutes before 8:30 it would be good to run the song before the choir gets there.

9:30 AM End of Ceremony

Dress: We are not wearing choir attire for this. You should dress nicely like you are going to a job interview or a church service. No jeans if you can help it. There are often newspaper photographers at things like this so look your best.

Thanks for agreeing to do this. For those of you who can't come due to your own Sunday morning commitments, I totally understand. For those of you who have agreed to perform, I really appreciate it and I'll see you at 8:30 AM at the Children's Theatre.

If you need to practice the song, here is a youtube video of the choir singing the song with guitar accompaniment in Prague a few years ago.



Thanks!
Bill Liberatore